Studies van leeuwen c. 1880 - 1885

Editor: This is "Studies van leeuwen," or "Studies of Lions," a pencil drawing by Jan Veth from around 1880 to 1885. The Rijksmuseum holds it. It's fascinating how much the artist conveys with just a few lines. What symbolic meaning can we derive from the lion in art history? Curator: Indeed. Throughout history, the lion has embodied potent symbolic meanings: power, courage, royalty. Think of heraldry, religious art, and mythology. Lions often appear guarding sacred spaces. Does this preparatory sketch suggest anything beyond simply representing the animal? Editor: Well, they all seem to be resting, sleeping almost. Does that alter the conventional interpretation of the lion as fierce? Curator: Precisely! This depiction shifts the focus. Perhaps it speaks to a concealed strength, a latent power that rests, yet is always present. Think about the lion's place as a solar symbol linked to the cyclical rising and setting of the sun, always returning, ever present in some dimension of our visual awareness. Could this reflect a deeper psychological aspect, like the subconscious? Editor: That's an interesting connection. Maybe Veth wanted to tap into our primal associations but with a gentle touch. So it’s not about overt power, but latent potential. Curator: Exactly. He captures the essence of the lion without relying on established imagery. He is after the universal quality we recognize, the very animal form is laden with multiple cultural meanings, past, present and, potentially, even future. Editor: I didn't expect such depth in what seemed like a simple sketch. It shows how artists use established visual symbolism to establish dialogues between epochs. Thanks so much! Curator: My pleasure. This highlights the beautiful capacity of visual symbols and metaphors.